When local schools suddenly closed last spring due to COVID-19, lack of reliable internet in rural areas became clear.
While some students accessed their assignments and lessons without a hitch, others struggled, leading educators to create hybrid offerings of e-learning for students with internet and take-home packets for students without. Going into the 2020-21 school year, educators planned for similar struggles when students quarantine due to COVID-19 exposure or in the event of another emergency closure. Part of the plan for two local school districts — North Spencer and Southeast Dubois — included grant money from the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief, or GEER, fund.
